FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas returned to practice Tuesday, holding its first workout in Razorback Stadium after taking 12 days off for spring break.

There was one notable absence — an expected one — along the Razorbacks’ offensive front.

Arkansas worked without returning starter Jason Peacock, who was arrested and charged with felony theft of property on March 16, the day after Arkansas stepped off the field for spring break. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino announced shortly after the arrest Peacock had been suspended indefinitely, leaving the Razorbacks without their most experienced tackle.

But Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said nothing had changed in the Razorbacks’ approach without Peacock Tuesday. The Razorbacks continued looking for a new starting five when the team put on pads for the first time this spring.

“You just step up and play on,” Petrino said. “You worry about who’s out on the field and coach who’s out on the field. That’s what we always do.”

Peacock’s absence has left Arkansas without a returning starter at both tackle spots, though.

Sophomores Brey Cook and Chris Stringer opened the spring first and second, respectively, on the depth chart at strong tackle. Junior David Hurd and redshirt freshman Grady Ollison were No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, at quick tackle behind Peacock.

Hurd wasn’t available for comment after practice, but moved into the first-team spot Tuesday.

“They’ve all been competing,” Petrino said. “They’ve been going at it. It’s kind of an open spot right now. We’re just kind of splitting them up. They’ve just got to keep working hard.”

Peacock is the third 2011 starter Arkansas is trying to replace this spring. Seniors Grant Cook and Grant Freeman finished their Arkansas careers during the Cotton Bowl win against Kansas State.

But offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, who wasn’t available after practice Tuesday, said earlier this spring replacing starters up front is nothing new.

“We had the same scenario (last spring),” Klenakis said two weeks ago. “We had three holes to fill. And my first spring here we had a couple holes to fill. It’s now time for the younger players that have been in the program, or maybe players that are older that have been in the program like a Grant Freeman last year, who stepped in as a fifth-year senior and picked up the flag.”

Peacock started nine games in his first season with the Razorbacks in 2012. The junior college transfer had trimmed down to 305 pounds this spring and opened workouts with the first-team offense.

He was arrested after stealing a debit card from a female student’s purse on March 5, according to a UA Police Department incident report. The stolen debit card was later used at a local gas station. A surveillance camera showed the card was used to purchase gas for a car registered to Peacock.

Peacock was called in for questioning and admitted to stealing the card, according to the report. He returned the card, which was in his possession.

“Obviously, it’s a tough loss. We can’t have that,” Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson said of Peacock’s arrest and suspension. “We have got to continue to get better behind him. I think some guys will step up and get some opportunity. That’s well needed for those guys and I think it will help their maturity.

“Hurd looked pretty good. Ollison the same way. I think they’ll continue to get better.”

Cook said Tuesday was a good step for the entire offensive line. Arkansas donned full pads for the first time after being limited to non-contact work during its two practices before spring break.

The group will get its first public test Friday, when Arkansas is scheduled to hold an open scrimmage in Razorback Stadium. Arkansas’ most experienced tackle won’t be with the group, but Cook believes they’ll perform without Peacock.

“We’ve got David Hurd stepping up at that quick tackle position,” Cook said. “Until that gets all sorted out we’re going to have to step up.

“But that’s what spring ball is for.”

Four downs — Notes from spring practice

1. Is Knile ready?

Arkansas running back Knile Davis said he didn’t go through any contact Tuesday, when the Razorbacks held their first practice in full pads. But the running back is hoping it won’t be long before he’s cleared for contact by Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino.

“I don’t know what coach is going to do,” Davis said. “I haven’t asked. He hasn’t talked to me and I really don’t care. I’m just ready to go get the first lick. It’s football. I love contact. That’s what football is all about.”

Arkansas has said several times it hasn’t made a decision on Davis’ availability for full contact this spring. The question will likely be answered this week. The Razorbacks will hold their first scrimmage Friday and running backs coach Tim Horton said Arkansas will “kind of play it by ear and see how he’s doing.”

Davis said his ankle is completely healthy, but added it’s “a little nerve-wracking” waiting for the first hit. But Davis said he’s eager, hoping to scrimmage Friday afternoon.

“There was talk we were going to go live (Tuesday). We didn’t,” Davis said. “We might go live (today). I’m ready. I’m ready to go.

2. Mitchell competing

Brandon Mitchell knew his job as backup quarterback was in jeopardy when he joined the basketball team this winter. So the junior said he wasn’t surprised when redshirt freshman Brandon Allen was listed ahead of him at No. 2 on the depth chart when spring practice began.

“Once you leave your sport and you go play two sports, that’s something that’s going to happen anywhere you go,” Mitchell said. “I don’t care if you’re the starter or not. You have to earn everything you get. It’s something I like.”

Mitchell said he was the first quarterback to take second-team reps during Tuesday’s practice. But he and Allen are splitting the work so far. Mitchell said he doesn’t mind the competition in the battle to back up returning starter Tyler Wilson in 2012.

“We’re keeping each other on our toes and making each other better,” Mitchell said.

3. Beach workouts

Arkansas may have had some time off for spring break. But it wasn’t a week free from football.

Several players said they spent time working out on the beach together over spring break.

“We were hanging out on the beach with each other, still building chemistry and waking up every morning and running and playing football on the beach, basically,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said it was easy, considering several players were in Panama City for spring break.

Davis and Ronnie Wingo Jr. said they worked out together, running some one-on-one drills in between some rest and relaxation.

“I was playing (defensive) back on him, he was playing D-back on me,” Wingo said. “We were having a little fun at the beach and still doing something so we wouldn’t come back (Tuesday) and be out there dead.”

4. Another honor for Adams?

Former Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams’ college career is over. But the Little Rock native still has a chance to win an award for his work with the Razorbacks this spring.

Adams was named one of four finalists for the inaugural Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers National College football Return Specialist Award on Tuesday. Adams joins North Carolina’s T.J. Thorpe, Texas A&M’s Dustin Harris and LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu as finalists for the award.

Adams was a consensus All-American and earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors for his work as a punt returner in 2011. He led the NCAA and tied the SEC’s single-season record with four punt return touchdowns. Adams also was second in the NCAA in punt return average (16.89 yards a return).

The award is named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny Rodgers, who won the 1972 Heisman Trophy. The winner will be announced Thursday and presented with the award in Omaha, Neb., on April 12.